Glossary

Concise definitions of legal terms used on the Citizen Media Law Project site. (The glossary is currently a work-in-progress. Please use our contact form to suggest additional terms for this glossary.)

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a
Affirmative defense search for term

A defense in which a defendant introduces evidence that will negate criminal or civil liability, even if it is proven that the defendant committed the alleged acts. Self-defense, entrapment, and insanity are examples of affirmative defenses in the criminal context.

Amicus search for term

Shortened version of amicus curiae.

See also: Amicus curiae
Amicus curiae search for term

Latin term meaning "friend of the court." Often used to refer to a person or group who is not a party to a lawsuit but has petitioned the court for permission to submit a brief in the action with the intent of influencing the court's decision.

See also: Amicus
 
 
 
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